THE second part of Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society’s archaeological dig in and around the church on the Castle Hill took place last weekend.

Under the supervision of Joss Durnan of Rathmell Archaeology of Kilwinning, volunteers made targeted digs and found some interesting artefacts and information.

The floor of the church was exposed for the first time in over a century since the Ardrossan Sarcophagus was unearthed in 1911. The presence of human bones and skull fragments suggests that the church was a burial place, most likely for high-ranking people.

Stone slabs on the north and south walls were likely to have been seating for the clergy or gentry. Some gravestones were cleaned to make the eroded inscriptions more legible. Among the visitors was former Ardrossan resident, Dr David Caldwell, retired Keeper of the Museums of Scotland and Europe and an authority on Ardrossan Castle.

David is the President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Honorary President of the Heritage Society. He was very impressed with the turnout of keen local volunteers and their enthusiasm. He was pleased to see so many people taking an interest in Ardrossan’s heritage and its Castle and old church getting the attention and recognition they deserve.

He added that the work carried out will add considerably to the understanding of the church and will eventually provide more information on who was buried in the graveyard.

The Heritage Society is looking forward to a full report from Rathmell Archaeology and thanks the volunteers and visitors who attended the dig.

Its focus is now on the Ardrossan Castle Carnival on the Castle Hill on Saturday, June 17 from 12-4.30pm.